Cutting guide apparatus and surgical method for use in knee arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

Novel cutting guides and surgical methods for use in knee arthroplasty are described. Embodiments of the inventive cutting guide apparatus include fixed and adjustable cutting guide blocks having a series of slots designed to accommodate a cutting saw. The cutting guides and surgical method are designed to allow for the provision of all desired surgical cuts upon the distal end of the femur, for subsequent implantation of a prosthesis thereto, without having to remove the cutting guide block.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This is a divisional application, and thus claims the benefit, of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/465,515, filed Jun. 19, 2003 and which willissue on Sep. 12, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,997, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In preparing the knee for implantation of a prosthesis in total kneereplacement (TKR) surgery, there are basically three bony areas of theknee requiring resurfacing, namely the distal femur, proximal tibia, andthe patella. Patellar resurfacing is a relatively easy procedure and isachieved in essentially one step. Preparation of the femoral and tibialareas of the knee, however, is typically more complicated, requiringmultiple cuts on the bone in precise locations thereon.

The present invention is directed, in certain aspects, to cutting guidesand surgical methods for use in knee arthroplasty, in particular for usein surgically preparing the distal femur or proximal tibia for surgicalimplantation of prosthetic knee component in TKR surgery. In particular,the invention provides for the use of a novel cutting block designed forrapid, single step resection and preparation of the distal femur (orproximal tibia), thereby avoiding minimizing errors in alignment of saidcuts due to having to re-orient the cutting block for successivesurgical cuts. In preferred embodiments, the present invention comprisesthe use of conventional computer assisted orientation systems (CAOS) forproper alignment of the cutting guide for precise shaping of the femurprior to implantation of the prosthesis. The present invention thereforedoes not require mechanical alignment orientation systems to allow forproper placement and positioning of the femoral condyles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the femoral cuttingguide of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a distal end view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top or anterior view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a lateral side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,further showing the position and orientation of the cutting path madethrough the cutting slots of the guide.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1, showing the internal configuration of the cutting slots, in phantomlines.

FIG. 6 is one embodiment of the stabilizing pins that may be used in thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the stabilizing pins that may be usedin the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,including the use of spacer engaged therein.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is another embodiment of the inventive cutting guide, includingan exemplary die-punch that may be used.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an expandable embodiment of the cuttingguide.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second expandable embodiment of thecutting guide.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS.14-15.

FIG. 17 is a third embodiment of a means for stabilizing the inventivecutting guide block onto the femur.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a novel cutting guide system andmethod for preparing a distal femur. For ease of explanation, thefollowing description will be directed to the preparation of the distalfemur.

As used herein, “knee arthroplasty” means total knee replacement surgerythrough surface preparation and soft tissue balancing to accommodate ananatomically correct resurfacing of the femur, tibia, and patellararticular surfaces.

Referring now to the figures, the present invention is directed tocutting guide apparatus comprising a cutting guide block configured foralignment and attachment to the distal end of a femur.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1-5, the cutting guide apparatuscomprises cutting block 10 having an anterior portion 11 and a distalportion 12. As shown, the anterior portion 11 and distal portion 12 ofthe cutting block are made with reference to the corresponding anteriorA and posterior P side of a femur F. The anterior portion 11 bends intothe distal portion 12, resulting in a substantially L-shapedconfiguration for accommodating the distal end of the femur F. Thecutting guide block further comprises a medial side 13 and a lateralside 14 integral with the anterior and distal portions of the cuttingblock, as shown. Here, the medial side 13 and the lateral side 14 of thecutting guide block is made with reference to the corresponding medialand lateral sides of a left femur. The terms “medial” and “lateral,” forpurposes of identifying these sides of the cutting guide block, havebeen selected herein for convenience purposes only, and thus it will berecognized that the cutting guide block of the present invention may beused to prepare a right femur as well, such that the “medial” side ofthe cutting guide block, as referenced herein, will actually be alignedwith the lateral side of the right femur, and the “lateral” side of thecutting guide block will actually be aligned with the medial side of theright femur.

The cutting guide block comprises a series of slots 20-24 configured toaccommodate a surgical saw for making the various femoral cuts requiredin preparing the femur for prosthetic implantation. FIG. 4 illustratesthe direction of the various cuts made into the femur through the slots20-24. The direction of the cuts is represented by slashed lines 1-5.FIG. 5 further illustrates, in phantom, the interior configuration andlocation of slots 20-24, as well. Each of these cutting slots isdiscussed in more detail below.

Communicating through the anterior portion 11 are a series of horizontalslots 20, 21. The slots are horizontal in that they extend in themedial/lateral direction along the outer surface of the cutting guideblock, as shown. Thus, as used herein with respect to the positioning ofthe cutting slots within the cutting guide block, the term “horizontal”is defined with reference to the medial/lateral direction of the cuttingguide when secured to the distal femur. Preferably, the anterior portion11 comprises a first slot 20 positioned near the proximal end of thecutting block, the slot being sufficiently sized to accommodate acutting saw (not shown). This first slot 20 is sufficiently angled (i.e.an approximately 40-degree to 45-degree angle a relative to longitudinalaxis X) to allow for the creation of an anterior chamfered cut 1 on theanterior surface A of the femur F, as shown for example in FIGS. 4-5.This particular feature is unique, in that conventional methods forachieving the desired cuts in femoral preparation do not provide for theanterior chamfered surface cut via anterior entry of the saw through thecutting guide block. Such provision of anterior access for making theanterior chamfered cut is advantageous in that it provides the abilityof the surgeon to miss intersecting stabilizing pins while cutting. Inaddition, provision of this anterior cutting slot on the cutting guideblock gives the block more stability and structural continuity in thatthere is more mass of material, for example, surrounding the first slot20, thereby making it mechanically stronger during the cuttingoperation, unlike many traditional cutting guides whose designs includecutting slots positioned posteriorly on the cutting guide for providingthe anterior chamfered cut. In these latter designs, there is less metalsurrounding this particular cutting slot, thereby making it less stableand more likely to break the cutting guide during operation.

Positioned subjacent to the first slot is a second horizontal slot 21configured to accommodate a cutting saw. This second slot, which runsparallel with the first slot 20, is designed to accommodate a cuttingsaw for the provision of a straight anterior cut 2 (i.e. a cut madeperpendicular to the anterior surface plane of the anterior portion 11of the cutting block) (see FIGS. 4-5).

Additional cuts necessary in reshaping the distal femur are providedthrough horizontal slots communicating through the distal portion 12 ofthe inventive cutting guide block. Specifically, a first horizontal slot22 is positioned on the distal portion as shown to provide asubstantially straight posterior cut 3. As shown in FIG. 4, cut 3 may beslightly angled. Thus, “substantially straight” with respect to cuts 2,3, and 5 may include a slight angle (i.e. 10 degrees or less). A pair ofsecond slots 23 are positioned, in tandem, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, justbelow the first horizontal slot on this portion of the cutting blockguide, each of the second slots 23 being angled relative to the plane ofthe distal cutting block portion 12. These slots are sufficiently angledto provide for a chamfered posterior cut 4 into the femur. A typicalangle of inclination for the second slots 23 is about 45 degrees;however, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize thatthe angle may be increased or decreased as desired by the manufacturer.A third slot 24 may be provided subjacent to, and parallel with, thepair of angled slots. This third slot 24 is oriented and configured toaccommodate a cutting saw to provide for a second straight posterior cutinto the femur, namely the posterior condyles P.

The cutting slots described above and illustrated herein provide enoughof a plane or surface geometry to fix the saw blade in a single plane.By having the ability to move freely in one plane, an entire angle orapproach to the femur is accomplished, thereby greatly minimizing thechance that bone will remain connected at certain points in theresection line. Preferably, a precisely matched saw blade is used sothat a free passage of the cutting portion of the blade is able to bepassed freely through the cutting slot and not impinge. Provision of asaw blade that is exactly matched to the cutting block saw slot usedwill minimize the likelihood of the saw blade wandering or circling ininstances where the saw blade is much thinner than the actual cuttingguide with which it is being used through. It is important to note,however, that while having a precisely matched saw blade is preferablefor use with the present invention, as discussed above, it is notcritical, and even a crude or less precisely-matched saw blade willstill work.

While not necessary for all embodiments, the distal portion of thecutting guide block may further include a centrally positioned recess orcut-out 25. This feature is important in cases where a centralized cutis necessary for creating a cavity within the distal-most end of thefemur, the cavity being configured to accommodate a central tibial lugor stabilizing post (not shown) secured to the tibia which telescopestherein to stabilize the knee for posterior cruciate sacrificing orresected total joint replacements. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5illustrates the most complicated configuration of the cut-out for thisprocedure; however, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that other, simpler cut-out 27 configurations may be employed(see FIG. 11, for example). These additional cuts through the cut-outmay be provided using a oscillating saw or a die punch 50, the lattertool being used to drive a square block of bone into the distal femur(and thereby creating the cavity), as discussed in greater detail below.

The inventive cutting guide block 10 further includes at least one pairof fixation lugs integral with the medial 13 and lateral 14 sides of thecutting guide block 10. Preferably, two pairs of fixation lugs 30, 31are provided as shown in FIG. 1. The fixation lugs each include a bore32 for accommodating a stabilizing pin 40 or similar means for securingthe cutting guide block to the distal femur after proper alignment, butprior to cutting. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an exemplary positioning of thelugs, but do not illustrate the preferred design of the stabilizing pinsor configuration of the bores therein for holding the pins. Preferredstabilizing pin and bore designs are discussed in greater detail below.Additional stabilizing may be provided by inserting stabilizingfasteners 41, such as pins, through bores 26 communicating through thedistal portion 12 of the block, thereby serving to further stabilize thecutting guide block after the distal resection has been made (FIG. 1).

The inventive cutting guide apparatus may further include one or moreposterior spacers 60, as shown in FIGS. 8-10. The spacers 60 are placedbeneath the posterior condyle P of the femur F beneath the distalportion 12 of the cutting guide block to allow for a stabilizing effectduring the preparation of the femur, in particular, when the cuttingguide block is secured to the femur during the early orientation phaseof the cutting. The spacer also serves as a forecasting measure indetermining the size of the flexion gap. That is, by use of differentsized spacers, the space that is provided between the distal condylesurface P of the femur and the tibial plateau or upper tibial surface,in flexion at a 90 degree bend of the knee, can be predicted. One ormore different sized spacers can be employed on one side and/or theother of the femur beneath the distal portion end of the block to givethe surgeon the ability to achieve a rotational correction of theposterior distance from the tibial surface, thereby allowing for aslight external rotation of the prosthesis to improve patellar tracking,if so desired. Again, the decision for this rotation is made by therelationships seen in the anatomic tibial femoral position at the timeof the resection. A CAOS system can be used to determine the flexion gapcorrection to precisely orient rotation such that in an ideal situation,the component will be positioned for maximum function. The inventivespacers 60 can then be inserted or removed at will to determine whethersoft tissue balancing will be necessary or further corrective measurescan be expected as the procedure progresses. The spacers also provideinstantaneous insight into the navigated rotational end resultdistances, and therefore the likelihood of flexion gap inequalities.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, each spacer comprises a handle 61 integral withan engaging member protruding there from, the engaging member comprisinglower 63 and upper 62 arms which form an inner channel. The lower arm 63is slid beneath the distal end of the cutting block and distal posteriorcondyles P while the upper arm 62 is inserted into one of the lowerslots 24 of the cutting guide block 10. The distance d between the upperarm 62 and lower arm 63 defines the distance the cutting block may beraised or lowered with respect to the tibial plateau. Exemplarydistances include, but are not limited to, 6 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm.

The cutting guide apparatus of the present invention also includes aplurality of stabilizing fasteners for securing the cutting guide block10 to the knee. As used herein, “fasteners” include, but are not limitedto, pins, including those illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, 17 and describedherein, bolts, screws, and the like. In the present invention, thecutting guide block includes a plurality of lugs 30, 31 extending fromthe medial 13 and lateral 14 sides of the block, each of the lugs havingat least one bore 32 communicating therethrough, and configured toreceive the fastener. The cutting guide block illustrated in FIGS. 1-4,for example, includes one pair lugs 30 arranged at an angle on themedial and lateral sides of the anterior cutting block portion and apair of lugs 31 extending from the medial and lateral sides of thedistal portion. As shown in the figures, each lug 30, 31 is positionedat an angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to the medial or lateralside from which the lug extends. Moreover, the embodiment illustratedherein further includes a pair of holes 26 communicating through thedistal cutting block portion, one on each side of the recess 25, asshown.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a stabilizing pin, wherein the pin80 comprises an elongated shank 81 having a head 82 and a penetratingpoint 83 for piercing the bone. Located on the shank beneath the head isa spherical portion 84 (i.e. “ball”) extending 360° about the shank. Thecorresponding bores 86 for receiving the pin are countersinks, andthereby configured to allow the ball of the pin be placed flush or justbelow the bore opening. The complementary curvature of the ball andcountersink allows more angular flexibility of the pin for securing theguide onto the bone. The head of the pin preferably includes a tang 85which may easily be grabbed by the surgeon for ease of removal.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the fastener that is suitablefor use in the present invention. This embodiment is similar to thefirst embodiment described above (i.e. includes a head 91 and shank 92),except instead of ball projection below the head for engagement withinthe countersink bore, the protrusion 94 is triangularly shaped, asshown. Similarly, the countersink bore 96 has a complementary triangularconfiguration. The head of the pin preferably includes a tang 95 whichmay easily be grabbed by the surgeon for ease of removal.

FIG. 17 illustrates a third embodiment for securing and stabilizing thecutting guide block 10 to the femur. Specifically, once the cuttingguide block is oriented onto the distal femur in the desired position, astabilizing pin 90 is engaged within bores communicating through (orlugs attached to) the medial and lateral sides of the cutting guideblock. The pin 90 is further engaged within a bore drilled through thefemoral bone, the femoral bore being in registration with the cuttingguide block bores (or lugs), such that a single stabilizing pin may beused to secure the cutting guide block.

Typically in most knee arthroplastic procedures, a distal cleanup cut onthe distal femur is utilized to provide a platform with which futurecutting guide blocks can be applied. Cutting guide blocks are affixed sominimal movement and errors are introduced. Next, a series ofpreparatory cuts are made that depend on replicated positions of eachsuccessive bone cut. To avoid this sequence, the present inventionbypasses all of these sets into one basic maneuver. That is, instead ofa distal cut being placed on the femoral condyles, the cutting guideblock is placed over the entire condyle and future cuts provide forinclusion of this distal cut as one single procedure, with the anteriorblock portion adjacent the anterior condyle A of the distal femur F andthe distal end portion being adjacent to distal most end of the femur D.The cutting slots for receiving an oscillating saw, for example,utilized provide for adequate stability of the saw blade to minimizeflexibility and wandering of the saw blade so as to provide for a veryprecise cut.

FIGS. 12-16 illustrate two additional embodiments of the cutting guideblock system. In particular, FIGS. 12-16 illustrate an expandable oradjustable cutting guide block 100 comprising a first section 101secured to a second section 102. Each section further comprises at leastone cutting slot 120-124 for engaging a cutting saw (not shown) for theprovision of cuts at desired locations upon the femur. As can be seen,cutting slots 120-124 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12-13correspond to cutting slots 20-24 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Thefirst section 101 comprises a an anterior face 130 integral with aproximal end 131, a distal face 132 integral with a posterior face 133,a medial side 134, and a lateral side (not shown, but opposite themedial side).

The second section 102 of the adjustable cutting guide block comprises adistal face 135, an anterior end 136, a posterior end 137, a medial side138, and a lateral side (not shown, but opposite the medial side).Inserts 300 of various sizes may be placed between the two sections asshown, namely between the posterior end 132 of the first section and theanterior end 136 of the second section. Preferably, the insert isconfigured to engage the ends 132, 136 of the respective sections of thecutting guide block. FIG. 12 illustrates one design of the insert,wherein the insert has two ribs 301 extending from one face of theinsert and a rib 302 extending from the opposite face. The posterior 132and anterior 136 ends of the first and second sections 101, 102,respectively, comprise complementarily configured channels for engagingthe ribs. To adjust the distance between the two sections in thedirection of arrow A, as shown in FIG. 13, and thereby adjusting thelength of the cutting guide block in the anterior/posterior direction,inserts of varying thicknesses may be secured between the two sections.Alternatively, two more inserts (not shown) may be engaged between thetwo sections to increase the anterior/posterior length of the cuttingguide block. Here, the inserts have surfaces configured to engage oneanother as well as the posterior 132 and anterior 136 ends of the twosections of the cutting guide block.

The present invention is also directed to a kit comprising the cuttingguide block sections 101, 102 illustrated in FIGS. 12-13 as well as aseries of inserts 300 of varying thicknesses, thus allowing the use of asingle cutting guide block regardless of the size of the femur beingoperated upon. Both the cutting guide block sections as well as theinserts may be formed of a variety of plastics, thus providing for aneconomical, single-use application of the cutting guide system. Such asystem minimizes interference or other contamination issues common withmetal on metal wear or interferences with electromagnetic environments.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate another expandable or adjustable cutting guideblock 200 comprising two separate sections 201, 202. The first section201 has an anterior face 203 integral with a proximal end 204, a distalface 205 integral with a posterior end 206, and medial 207 and lateral208 sides. The second section 202 comprises a distal face 209, ananterior end 213, a posterior end 208, and medial 211 and lateral 212sides. Each section further comprises at least one cutting slot 220-224for engaging a cutting saw (not shown) for the provision of cuts atdesired locations upon the femur. As can be seen, cutting slots 220-224in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16 correspond to cuttingslots 20-24 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and cutting slots 120-124in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12-13.

Integral with and extending from the posterior end 206 of the firstsection of the cutting guide block is an elongated post 400. The post400 comprises at least one hole 401 configured to engage a fastener 402.The second section 202 comprises a receptacle 500 communicating throughthe anterior end 213 and oriented in registration with the elongatedpost 400. Communicating through the proximal face of the second sectionis at least one hole, preferably series of holes 501, arranged such thatthe when the post is inserted within the receptacle, the at least onehole of post is in registration with a hole of the cutting blocksection. The first and second sections of the cutting guide block may beadjusted in the anterior/posterior direction with respect to the femur (i.e. in the direction of arrow A, as shown in FIG. 15) and secured inthe desired position by aligning the holes communicating through thereceptacle with the holes of the post. Once positioned correctly, afastener 401, such as a pin or screw, for example, may be insertedthrough the respective holes 401, 501 to secure the two sections to oneanother.

As shown in FIGS. 12-16, the two expandable cutting guide block systemsfurther include means for securing the cutting guide blocks to the femursimilar to those means described and illustrated herein for thenon-expandable design. Once assembled, the cutting guide block has asubstantially L-shaped configuration similar or identical to thenon-expandable embodiments. It will further be recognized andappreciated by those ordinary skill in the art that while FIGS. 12-16illustrate two means for adjusting and securing the two sections ofcutting guide block in the anterior/posterior direction, other means maybe employed to provide such adjustability without departing from thespirit of this aspect of the invention, and thus are well with the broadscope of the invention. Such means include, but are not limited to,inserts having different configurations; multiple posts (as opposed toone post) extending from one section of the block for engagement withincomplementary receptacles in the second section; rods or screws ofvarying lengths for securing the two sections to one another; and thelike.

It will be further appreciated by the skilled artisan that all of theembodiments of the cutting guide disclosed herein may be fabricated fromacceptable materials used in surgical instruments, including, but notlimited to, metals and metal alloys (ferrous and nonferrous) as well asa variety of plastics (as discussed above for the kits).

In operation, once the cutting guide block (i.e. any of the embodimentsdescribed and illustrated herein) is placed onto the distal femur, acomputer assisted orientation system (CAOS) may be used to orient thecutting block on the femur in a desired position. Here, a trackingdevice (e.g. optical tracking device) for use with a computer assistedorientation system (CAOS) is attached to a tracker mount 100 projectingfrom the anterior end of the cutting block guide. By means of a realtime screen analysis of the 3-dimensional position of the cutting guidesystem, the CAOS provides instantaneous 3-D position feedback of thecutting guide block. The CAOS also gives ideal resection levels andresulting blade vectors before cuts are made, thereby verifying thepredictive cut of the femur (or tibia). This is done by routine use of anavigation system providing an on-screen view of the cutting guideblock. Suitable CAOS's that may be employed with the present inventioninclude those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,018 to Delp, et al, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The method of usingCAOS with the present invention is the same as for other orthopediccutting guides that are currently used with CAOS.

Once the cutting block guide is secured to the distal knee, a series ofpreparatory cuts may be made via the cutting slots provided on theguide. For ease of explanation, surgical method will be described withrespect to the cutting guide illustrated in FIGS. 1-5; however, it willbe recognized by those ordinary skill in the art that the inventivesurgical method is equally applicable to the adjustable embodimentsdescribed herein and illustrated in FIGS. 12-16.

The inventive surgical method comprises a preferred sequence of cuts asfollows:

(1) An anterior cut through slot 21 to provide an actual anatomicreference for proper orientation and to ensure that the cut made willnot over engage the anterior cortex and inadvertently notch the femur.This also provides for adequate bone removal so that the femoralprosthesis is not placed anteriorly on the distal femur, therebyoverstuffing the anterior compartment and restricting joint motion.

(2) A distal cut through slot 22.

(3) Optionally, stabilizing drill holes for lugs (the drill bits mayremain on for stability)

(4) A posterior cut through slot 24.

(5) An anterior chamfer cut through slot 20.

(6) A posterior chamfer cut through slot 23.

(7) For a posterior cruciate sacrificing surgical procedure utilizing atibia stabilizing peg (not shown), wherein the peg penetrates the notchof the femur for stability, an additional recess or cavity may berequired to be drilled, sawed, or milled into the distal femur toaccommodate the stabilizing peg. Since removal of bone in this area mayresult in bleeding, the present inventive method provides for creationof the cavity via bone impaction to reduce or prevent the potentialbleeding while providing some remaining graft into the distal femur. Inthe present method, the four sides of the recess 25, 27 are cut throughcut-out for accurate punch margins. Then a punch is made with aconventional punching tool 50 (FIG. 11) to deliver the remaining graftinto the distal femur where it will remain. A shoulder or stop 51provided on the punching tool prevents the tool from penetrating toodeeply within the bone. The walls defining the cut-out accurately directthe bone graft down its path. Due to the impact of the punching tool,this step is preferably reserved as the last step in order to preventdislodging the fasteners securing the guide to the femur.

1. An orthopedic cutting guide apparatus suitable for use in preparingthe distal end of a femur in knee arthroplasty, said femur having ananterior surface, a posterior surface, and a distal-most end surface,said apparatus comprising: a. an adjustable cutting guide blockcomprising a first section secured to a second section; wherein saidfirst section further comprises an anterior face integral with aproximal end, a distal face integral with a posterior end, and medialand lateral sides, and wherein said second section comprises a distalface, an anterior end, a posterior end, and medial and lateral sides; b.said first section further comprising a post integral with and extendingfrom said posterior face of said first section, said post comprising atleast one hole configured to maintain a fastener; said second sectionfurther comprising a receptacle communicating through said anterior endand oriented in registration with said post, said receptacle configuredto maintain said member therein, said second section further comprisingat least one hole through said distal face in communication with saidreceptacle, wherein when said post is engaged within said receptacle,one of said at least one hole of said post may be aligned inregistration with one of said at least one hole in said second sectionof said cutting guide, thereby securing said sections of said guide toone another via said fastener at a desired position upon said femur,thereby providing for adjustability in length of the cutting guide blockin the anterior/posterior direction with respect to said femur; c. saidfirst section further comprising a series of slots configured to engagea cutting saw to provide cuts at desired locations upon said femur inpreparation of said femur for attachment of a prosthetic implantthereto; and d. said second section further comprising a series of slotsconfigured to engage a cutting saw to provide cuts at desired locationsupon said femur in preparation of said femur for attachment of aprosthetic implant thereto.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidcutting guide has a substantially L-shaped configuration.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, further including at least one stabilizing pin forsecuring said cutting guide to said femur.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said first section comprises a first horizontal slot configuredto accommodate a cutting saw, said first slot oriented on said anteriorface of said first section and extending therethrough, said firsthorizontal slot sufficiently angled in the anterior/posterior directionthrough said first section to allow for the formation of an anteriorchamfered cut on the anterior surface of said femur with said cuttingsaw.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first section furthercomprises a second horizontal slot configured to accommodate a cuttingsaw, said second slot oriented on said anterior face of said firstsection and extending therethrough, said second slot oriented subjacentto said first slot and configured to provide a substantially straightanterior cut into the anterior surface of said femur with said cuttingsaw, and wherein said first section further comprises a third horizontalslot oriented on said distal face of said first section andcommunicating therethrough to provide a straight posterior cut into saidfemur.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said second sectioncomprises a pair of first horizontal slots, each of said pair of slotsoriented on said distal face and one of either said medial or lateralsides of said second section and extending therethrough such that saidreceptacle is positioned between said pair of slots, each of said slotspositioned subjacent said second horizontal slot of said first sectionand sufficiently angled through said second section to provide achamfered posterior cut into said femur; said second section furthercomprising a second horizontal slot on said distal face and extendingtherethrough to provide a second substantially straight posterior cutinto said femur with said cutting saw.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein said stabilizing pin comprises a head and an elongated shankintegral with said head and having a penetrating point for piercingbone, said pin further having a spherical portion subjacent said headand configured for pivotal engagement within a complementarilyconfigured bore communicating through said cutting guide block.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein cutting guide block further comprises atleast one stabilizing lug for engaging said stabilizing pin, said lugextending from one of said medial and lateral sides of said cuttingguide block, said lug comprising said bore for engaging said stabilizingpin.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said stabilizing pin comprisesa head and an elongated shank integral with said head and having apenetrating point for piercing bone, said pin further having asubstantially triangularly-shaped portion subjacent said head andconfigured for pivotal engagement within a complementarily configuredbore communicating through said guide.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein cutting guide block further comprises at least one stabilizinglug for engaging said stabilizing pin, said lug extending from one ofsaid medial and lateral sides of said cutting guide block, said lugcomprising said bore for engaging said stabilizing pin.
 11. Anorthopedic cutting guide apparatus suitable for use in preparing thedistal end of a femur in knee arthroplasty, said femur having ananterior surface, a posterior surface, and a distal-most end surface,said apparatus comprising: a. an adjustable cutting guide blockcomprising a first section secured to a second section; said first andsecond sections each comprising at least one cutting slot for engaging acutting saw for the provision of cuts at desired locations upon saidfemur in preparation of said femur for attachment of a prostheticimplant thereto; b. said first section of said cutting guide furthercomprising an anterior face integral with a proximal end, a distal faceintegral with a posterior end, and medial and lateral sides; c. saidsecond section comprising a distal face, an anterior end, a posteriorend, and medial and lateral sides; and d. an insert configured to engagesaid first and second sections of said cutting guide block to oneanother, wherein said insert has one side configured to engage saidposterior end of said first section and an opposite side configured toengage said anterior end of said second section. whereby said insert maybe engaged between said posterior end of said first section and saidanterior end of said second section to provide for adjustability of saidcutting guide upon said femur in the anterior/posterior direction withrespect to said femur.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further includingat least on stabilizing pin for securing said block to said femur. 13.The apparatus of claim of 11, wherein said posterior end of said firstsection comprises at least one elongated channel configured to engagetherein a complementarily configured first rib extending on one surfaceof said insert; and wherein said anterior end of said second sectioncomprises at least one elongated channel configured to engage therein acomplementarily configured second rib extending on another surface ofsaid insert; whereby when said ribs of said insert are engaged withinsaid channels of said first and second sections, said first and secondsections of said cutting guide block are secured to one another at adesired length in the anterior/posterior direction with respect to saidfemur.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said insert is furtherconfigured to engage a second insert, such that two or more inserts maybe stacked upon one another and engaged between said posterior end ofsaid first section and said anterior end of said second section.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein said stabilizing pin comprises a head andan elongated shank integral with said head and having a penetratingpoint for piercing bone, said pin further having a spherical portionsubjacent said head and configured for pivotal engagement within acomplementarily configured bore communicating through said cutting guideblock.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein cutting guide blockfurther comprises at least one stabilizing lug for engaging saidstabilizing pin, said lug extending from one of said medial and lateralsides of said cutting guide block, said lug comprising said bore forengaging said stabilizing pin.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinsaid stabilizing pin comprises a head and an elongated shank integralwith said head and having a penetrating point for piercing bone, saidpin further having a substantially triangularly-shaped portion subjacentsaid head and configured for pivotal engagement within a complementarilyconfigured bore communicating through said guide.
 18. A kit for use inpreparing the distal end of a femur in knee arthroplasty, said kitcomprising: a. the adjustable cutting guide block of claim 21; and b. aplurality of inserts, each of said inserts configured to engage saidfirst and second sections of said cutting guide block to one another,wherein said insert has one side configured to engage said posterior endof said first section and an opposite side configured to engage saidanterior end of said second section.
 19. The kit of claim 18, whereinsaid inserts and cutting guide block are formed of a disposable, plasticmaterial.
 20. The kit of claim 18, furthering including at least onestabilizing pin for securing said block to said femur.
 21. An orthopediccutting guide apparatus suitable for use in preparing the distal end ofa femur in knee arthroplasty, said apparatus comprising: a. a cuttingguide block comprising a first section secured to a second section,wherein said first and second sections are configured for engagementwith one another in at least two positions to provide for different sizelengths of said cutting guide block in the anterior/posterior directionrelative to the femur; and b. said first and second sections eachcomprising at least one cutting slot for engaging a cutting saw for theprovision of cuts at desired locations upon said femur in preparation ofsaid femur for attachment of a prosthetic implant thereto.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 21, further including at least one stabilizing pinfor securing said cutting guide block to said femur.
 23. A surgicalmethod for shaping the distal end of a femur for subsequent implantationof a prosthesis in knee arthroplasty, said femur having an anteriorsurface, a distal-most end surface, and a posterior surface, said methodcomprising: a. aligning a cutting guide block on said distal end of saidfemur; b. securing said cutting guide block to said distal end of saidfemur, said cutting guide block comprising a series of slotscommunicating therethrough, each of said slots designed to accommodate acutting blade of a saw, each slot oriented on said guide to providecorresponding cuts on the anterior, distal-most, and posterior surfacesof said femur; c. making at least five successive cuts into said femurby inserting said saw blade into each of said cutting slots of saidcutting guide in any order desired, wherein all of said five cuts aremade without removing or repositioning said cutting guide and whereinone of said cuts is a distal-most cut made into said distal-most end ofsaid femur; and d. removing said cutting guide block from said femur forsubsequent implantation of a knee prosthesis.
 24. The method of claim23, wherein said cutting guide block is the cutting guide block ofclaim
 1. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein said cutting guide block isadjustable in the anterior/posterior direction relative to said distalend of said femur.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein one of one saidsuccessive cuts is an anterior chamfered cut made through acorresponding slot communicating through said anterior portion of saidcutting guide, thereby providing said anterior chamfered cut via theanterior side said femur.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein saidaligning of said cutting guide block does not include the insertion ofan intramedullary guide into said femur prior to alignment.
 28. Themethod of claim 23, wherein said aligning further includes the insertionof spacers through a slot within said cutting guide block and beneaththe posterior surface of said femur.
 29. The method of claim 23, whereinsaid cutting guide block is aligned on said distal end of said femur viaa computer assisted orientation system operatively connected to saidcutting guide block.
 30. The method of claim 23, wherein securing ofsaid cutting guide block to said femur further includes engaging astabilizing a pin within bores penetrating through medial and lateralsides of said cutting guide block and within a bore drilled through saidrespective medial and lateral sides of said distal femur, said femoralbore in registration with said bores of said cutting guide block.